By Salim Siddiqui
ISLAMABAD: In a fervent display of solidarity, speakers gathered at the Pakistan consulate general in New York to address the ongoing human rights violations in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) region. The event, dedicated to Kashmir Solidarity Day, saw a diverse array of participants, including opinion leaders, scholars, students, journalists, and members of the Kashmiri diaspora.
Organized by the consulate general of Pakistan, the event aimed to draw attention to the enduring plight of the Kashmiri people, who have been deprived of their fundamental rights for over seven decades. Consul General Aamer Ahmad Atozai underscored the urgent need for international pressure on India to halt its human rights abuses in the region and to honor the right to self-determination for Kashmiris, as mandated by United Nations resolutions.
Throughout the proceedings, various speakers, including Dr. Asif Rehman, Carin Jodha Fischer, Dr. Sima Karetnaya, Mr. Zameer Ahmad, Mr. Taj Khan, Sardar Sawar, and Mr. Saghir Khan, echoed calls for global intervention to address the escalating crisis in Kashmir. Concerns were raised over India’s heavy-handed tactics in the region and its detrimental effects on regional stability.
The consensus among speakers was clear: a lasting peace in South Asia hinges on the recognition and implementation of Kashmiris’ inalienable right to self-determination. Participants reiterated the importance of upholding relevant UN Security Council resolutions in this regard.
A resounding appeal was made to the international community, particularly the United Nations, to urgently address the deteriorating human rights situation in IIOJK. Attendees urged global leaders to heed the voices of the oppressed Kashmiris and to support their just and legitimate struggle for self-determination.
The event served as a poignant reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Kashmir and the pressing need for concerted international action to alleviate the suffering of its inhabitants.
